V:14 A lay disciple and a stubborn monk (Citta and Sudhamma)

Citta, a householder, once met Venerable Mahanama, one of the first
five disciples of the Buddha, going on an almsround, and invited the monk to his
house. There, he offered almsfood to him and after listening to the discourse given
by him, Citta realised the Dhamma. Later, Citta built a monastery in his mango grove.
There, he looked to the needs of all the bhikkhus who came to the monastery and one
Bhikkhu Sudhamma was installed as the resident bhikkhu.

One day, the two Chief Disciples of the Buddha, Venerable Sariputta
and Venerable Maha Moggallana, came to the monastery. After listening to the discourse
given by Sariputta, Citta attained the third stage of Sainthood. Then, he invited
Sariputta and Moggallana to his house for almsfood the next day. He also invited
Sudhamma, who refused in anger and said, 'You invited me only after the other two.'
Citta repeated his invitation, but it was again turned down. Nevertheless, Sudhamma
went to the house of Citta early on the following- day. But when invited to enter
the house, he refused and said that he would not sit down as he was going on his
almsround. But when he saw the things that were to be offered to the monks, he envied
them so much that he could not restrain his anger. He abused Citta and said, 'I don't
want to stay in your monastery any longer,' and left the house in anger.

Sudhamma reported everything that had happened to the Buddha, who
said, 'You have offended a lay-disciple who is endowed with faith and generosity.
You must go back to him and own up your mistake.' Sudhamma did as he was told, but
Citta felt he should be made to realise his mistake and therefore did not accept
his apology. Sudhamma went to see the Buddha for the second time, then the Buddha
said, 'My son, a good bhikkhu should have no attachment; a good bhikkhu should not
be conceited and say,'This is my monastery, this is my place, these are my lay-disciples,
etc., for in one with such thoughts, covetousness and pride will increase.'

At the end of the admonition, Sudhamma went to the house of Citta,
and this time they were reconciled; and within a few days, Sudhamma attained Arahanthood.